MEPs back social protection for artists

Parliament’s adoption of proposals to improve the social status of European artists represents a 'big victory' for the sector, said MEP Claire Gibault.

“I am very happy and proud. Culture is important, and is often not given a big place in political discussions,” she said.

The French MEP, who tabled the own-initiative report, told a press conference on 7 June that the majority of difficulties encountered by artists are not cultural but relate to mobility, visa policy, health and social security.

“We want to see a specific artist visa,” said Gibault. “Artists often don’t spend a long time in a country – festivals can last just a few weeks even.”

Her report also recommends the creation of a European register and a pilot European social security card with microchip scheme for European artists, which would hold all professional data.

Gibault also wants to see a practical guide for artists, as in many countries they are not notified to their rights.

“We would like to see the cross-border movement of artists, like an Erasmus scheme for the arts sector,” she added.

Gibault’s report on the social status of artists underlines a growing focus at the European level on labour security and mobility.

A workshop on flexicurity - the new buzzword that describes a balanced approach to security and flexibility in the labour market - was held last month in Brussels.

Gibault’s proposals are similar to those contained in research commissioner Janez Potocnik’s green paper on the European research area (ERA).

At a press conference in April, Potocnik talked about the possibility of increasing the mobility of researchers within Europe.

Gibault’s report will now be sent back to the commission after parliament accepted one of two amendments to the report.

“These are solutions for artists,” she concluded. “Culture is not a luxury; it is something fundamental."

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